Regional Collaboration CenterSt George's

April 2020

Dear Stakeholders,

Greetings from RCC St. George’s

We are delighted to bring to you our first newsletter for the year. Sadly, the currentpandemic has created a truly unprecedented situation which affects us all. Our thoughtsand prays go out to anyone who’s been impacted by the virus. As we move forward duringthese uncertain times, RCC St. George’s wants to keep our readers up to date on thelatest events, initiatives, and opportunities in our region.

Be Safe!RCC St. George’s

Conference of the Parties (SB52, COP26) and theRegional Climate Weeks

Dear Stakeholders, We hope this message finds you all well in your respective locations. As you may be aware, the Bureau held a meeting on 1 April 2020 in which it wasdecided about the postponement of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB52) andconsequently of COP26 due to COVID-19. The SB sessions are postponed until 4-12 October 2020, at the World Conference Centre in Bonn, Germany. Pre-sessional meetings will take place from 28 September to 3 October 2020. Inregards to COP26, dates for a rescheduled conference will be in 2021 at Glasgowby the UK in partnership with Italy and will be set out in due course following furtherdiscussion with parties.

This decision has a significant impact on the Regional Climate Weeks (RCWs).Host Governments are in the process of confirming their commitment to host theevents in 2021. The organizing partners will discuss a possible schedule for theRCWs for 2021 in the coming days, keeping in mind uncertainties around theprecise timing of COP26 in 2021. We will provide further information about the Latin America and Caribbean ClimateWeek and remaining RCWs as soon as possible. Among others, we are alsoexploring the possibility and applicability of virtual solutions, in partial replacementof in-person events. Virtual solutions are, however, not sought as a replacement forthe RCW events, but as a series of complementary events that can keep themomentum going and advance discussions on some specific topics.

RCC Contributes to the Barbados Million Trees Initiative

Barbados has launched the 'We Plantin’ More Than A Million National Tree PlantingProject' to contribute to climate change mitigation efforts while providing other services tothe population of Barbados. The project proponents have expressed interest in beingdeveloped as a CDM programme of activities through submission of a notice of priorconsideration and is in contact with RCC St. George’s with a request for support.

The project will be implemented in several locations in the country. Trees with commercial,fruit bearing, medicinal and aesthetic value, such as Neem, Mahogany, Baobab, AfricanTulip, Ficus, Barbados Olive and Palms, will be planted under the project. Minister ofEnvironment and National Beautification, Honorable Trevor Prescod, stated at thecommencement of the project that "the Government of Barbados is committed to thepreservation of all life here on the island" for present and future generations andencouraged the public to “stay the course” and assist however possible in helping theproject to reach its target.

In picture, Barbados Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Hon. Trevor Prescod, Mr. Ron Goodridge, Officer at the Ministry of

Environment and National Beautification, Mr. Willie Barbour, Senior Project Director, Caribbean Cooperative MRV Hub and Mr. Vintura Silva,

RCC St. George's

Caribbean Cooperative MRV Hub Second Annual Meeting

With the support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through theGlobal Support Programme (GSP), and the UN Climate Change, the CaribbeanCooperative Measurement Reporting and Verification (MRV) Hub, held its second annualmeeting, on 11-12 March 2020 at Bridgetown, Barbados. According to Director, EducationProgramme, from the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute, Molly White, “the meetingprovided the opportunity for Caribbean stakeholders to learn about the progress and plansof the MRV Hub while exchanging knowledge and fostering critical connections.”

In the two-day conference, participants engaged in presentations from regionalstakeholders on topics such as the outcomes from COP25 negotiations and BiennialUpdate Reports (BURs) and related efforts in the region. Ms. White also expressed thatthe conference discussed “the MRV Hub’s activities over the last year and introducedparticipants to its three-pronged operational model and expected outputs in 2020.”

For more information on this, please click here

Mainstreaming Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA) and Gender EqualitySocial Inclusion into Climate Change Adaptation

A webinar was held on Mainstreaming Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) and

Gender Equality Social Inclusion into Climate Change Adaptation, part of theenvironment and resilience webinar series put on by the OECS and theAdapt’Action / AFD programme. Consideration of gender equity, socialinclusiveness and ecosystems fall under guiding principles for adaptation action(2010 and 2011) under the United Nations Framework Convention on ClimateChange (UNFCCC).

Vintura Silva of RCC St. George's presented on the current status of EbA-GESIissues in the UNFCCC context highlighting gender inclusion in relation to NationalAdaptation Plans and Nationally Determined Contributions under the ParisAgreement.

The webinar, held on 8 April 2020, highlighted the importance of gender equalityand social inclusion in the fight towards climate resilience in the region. A panel ofprofessionals introduced a toolkit developed as part of the Adapt’Action fundedproject to support climate change practitioners and decision-makers to mainstreamEcosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)considerations into the climate change adaptation-related policies, plans, and on-the-ground activities. The toolkit will provide detailed guidance on how GESI shouldbe taken into account as part of the process of mainstreaming EbA and formulatingconcept notes for funding. The purpose of the toolkit is not to create new tools butto gather, select and/or adapt available methods and resources that are the mostrelevant for design and implementation of EbA-GESI responsive adaptation actionsin the Caribbean context.

According to the Dr. Didacus Jules, Director-General of the Organisation of theEastern Caribbean States (OECS), “This toolkit arrives at a time when the Islandsof the Eastern Caribbean are placing increasing focus on the concept of resilience.The fact that it promotes the integration of ecosystem-based approaches, genderequality and social inclusion makes it highly relevant, not just for climate change,but also for resilience-building in the broader socio-economic context.”

More on the Toolkit can be found here

The Paris Agreement on Climate Change as a Development Agenda

UN Climate Change and the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) willoffer the second edition of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change as aDevelopment Agenda online course in English, free-of-charge, on 15-24 June2020.

Please register here, and for a copy of the course brochure click here

Caribbean Youth Mobilize on Climate Change and Health!

Initiated by a youth activist from Barbados, Ms. Ashley Lashley, a medical student andalso Miss World Barbados 2018, the HEY (Healthy and Environment-friendly Youth)Campaign aims to sensitize and mobilize youth around the world with one key objective:rethink health, in particular child health, in the context of climate change, and recognizethe right all of us have to live in a safe and healthy environment. Also, RCC St. George's,in collaboration with UNICEF is building on a course climate and health in supporting thisinitiative.

Join the campaign by posting a photo @ecohealthyyouth or send it totheashleylashleyfoundation@gmail.com.

Help your under-18 relatives/friends/students fill this brief survey here. The HEYCampaign is supported by UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Office.

Greenpreneurs 2020

Global Green Growth Institute has justlaunched its annual greenentrepreneurship competition. A total of15 teams will be selected to take part ina 12-week virtual incubator andmentorship programme, culminating ina business plan competition to winfunding for your business. Interestedteams from around the world arewelcome to participate, especiallyteams from the Caribbean.

To register your team, please click hereand for more information click here

NAMA Facility Announces 7th Callfor Submissions of NAMA Support

Project Outlines

The United Kingdom and Germanyexpressed their support to the NAMAFacility’s 7th Call for the submission ofNAMA Support Project (NSP) Outlines. Thewas opended on 1 April 2020 and will closeat 3 pm CEST on 1 September 2020.

The NAMA Facility is closely monitoring theeffects of COVID-19 and its spread aroundthe world. However, this event will proceedaccording to schedule until further noticeby the NAMA Facility.

Please direct any questions tocontact@nama-facility.org

Read more information go here

Climate Change and HumanRights: Contributions by and forLatin America and The Caribbean

The Economic Commission for LatinAmerica and the Caribbean (ECLAC) andthe Office of the United Nations HighCommissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)have published a document focused on thenumerous contributions to the human rightsperspective made by and for the region.

To download the document, please clickhere

The Regional NDC Dialogue forLatin America and the Caribbean

(LAC) Report is Out!

The LAC was one of three in the UNDP/UNClimate Change LAC dialogue, one ofthree in a series, was held in the lastquarter of 2019, part of the RegionalClimate Weeks, with the goal of increasingmomentum for more ambitious andaccelerated climate action. In the sessions,countries covered a range of topics.Grenada, for example, discussed itschallenges with data management. Peerssuggested an information data sharingsystem that all ministries can use to inputand share data.

A full copy of the report is available here

Action for Climate Empowerment

The Doha work programme on Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) invites Parties todesignate and provide support, including technical and financial support, and access toinformation and materials to a national focal point for ACE activities and assign specificresponsibilities (15/CP.18, Annex, paragraph 22 (a)).

RCC St. George's is working with the ACE team at UN Climate Change to follow up withUNFCCC focal points in the region to nominate ACE focal points. To explore the currentACE focal points, upcoming events and understand how UNFCCC National Focal Pointscan nominate ACE Focal points click here

In addition, visit the website links below for further useful information on a variety of issuesincluding:

Negotiations on Action for Climate EmpowermentDialogues on Action for Climate EmpowermentEducation and Training, Public Participation and Youth Engagement

A short guide titled How to integrate 'Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE)' intoNationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is being finalized by UNESCO and UNClimate Change, in collaboration with the United Nations Alliance on Climate ChangeEducation, Training and Public Awareness. This guide aims to provide countries withadvice on how to enhance ambition and address the six elements of ACE - Education,Training, Public Awareness, Public Access to Information, Public Participation andInternational Cooperation in their respective NDCs.

Look out for the guide coming soon on the website!

Regional and National Needs-Based Finance Project

UN Climate Change, through its RegionalCollaboration Centres in Bangkok, Dubai,Kampala, Lomé, Panama and St. George's,and in collaboration with its partnerinstitutions, is implementing the NBFproject in 10 regions or sub-regions,covering a total of 92 countries. In 2020,the project will be launched in East Africa,West Africa, Least Developed Countries inAsia and in Polynesia, as well as in Belizeand Uruguay.

In Belize, the project is being implementedin partnership with the Ministry ofAgriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, theEnvironment, Sustainable Development ofBelize and will have an expected one-yeartimeline starting in January 2020.

To download a copy of the document,please see here

UNDP’s Climate Promise

The UNDP’s Climate Promise is acommitment to support at least 100countries, such as small island developingstates (SIDS), to enhance their NDCs by2020. The Climate Promise is working inclose coordination with the InternationalRenewable Energy Agency (IRENA), theFood and Agriculture Organisation (FAO),the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP), and UNICEF. ThePromise has committed USD 25 million ofcore resources and mobilizing support fromkey donors, such as Germany, EU, Spain,Italy, and Sweden. Currently, more than 60governments have already signaled theirinterest in receiving assistance from theUNDP and their partners since the launchin New York in September 2019.

For a full report on this promise, click here

Enhancing NDCs: A Guide toStrengthening National Climate

Plans

Working in close coordination with theUNDP, the World Resource Institute (WRI)published a guide that helps governmentofficials identify options for enhancingNationally Determined Contributions(NDCs) in line with the Paris Agreement.Enhancing NDCs: A Guide toStrengthening National Climate Plans was

designed to help practitioners think throughhow to structure their country’s enhancedNDCs across three dimensions, which aremitigation, adaptation and transparentcommunication.

To download a copy of the guide click here

Common Ground Between theParis Agreement and the Sendai

Framework: Climate ChangeAdaptation and Disaster Risk

Reduction

The Organisation for EconomicCooperation and Development (OECD)Secretariat has recently released a reporton the Common Ground Between the ParisAgreement and the Sendai Framework:Climate Change Adaptation and DisasterRisk Reduction. The report was preparedwith financial support from the GermanFederal Ministry for Economic Cooperationand Development of Germany (BMZ), andit is a contribution to the G20 AdaptationWork Programme (2018-2019). In order tointegrate Climate Change Adaptation andDisaster Risk Reduction in sustainabledevelopment, coherence is key. Theprocess requires coordination and can beoperationalized at different levels ofgovernment, with collaboration acrossstakeholder groups. The report describesthree main types of coherence: Technical,Strategic and Operational.

To download a copy of the report click here

More information on OECD's work onclimate can be found here

A gender-responsive process toformulate and implement National

Adaptation Plans

The NAP Global Network, the LeastDeveloped Countries Expert Group and theAdaptation Committee under the UnitedNations Framework Convention on ClimateChange have jointly published a Toolkit fora Gender-Responsive Process toFormulate and Implement NAPs.

To download a full copy of the tool kit,please click here

Climate Neutral Now InitiativeLooks to the Future - Join Us!

Climate Neutral Now welcomed over 40partners and signatories from differenteconomic sectors from across Europe,USA, and Asia in an event which took placein the Real Betis Balompié Stadium (BenitoVillamarín) in Seville, Spain, on 10February 2020.

Participants presented their work onemission reduction and discussed how toshape the vision towards a climate-neutraleconomy through this initiative. We hopethat participants will inspire even moreorganizations to join the initiative and helpthe world to reach climate neutrality.

More here

The 37th Meeting of the Least Developed Countries Expert Group

The 37th meeting of the Least Developed Countries Expert Group was held inAntananarivo, Madagascar, from 6 to 8 February 2020. At the meeting, the Groupdeveloped its work programme for 2020. In this meeting, discussions with representativesof the Green Climate Fund, relevant organizations, regional centres and networks washeld on ongoing collaboration to support the least developed countries on adaptation andthe implementation of the least developed countries work programme.

For full copy of the report, click here

Stocktaking Meeting of the Least Developed Countries Expert Group

A Stocktaking meeting on the work of the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG)held in Antananarivo from 10 to 12 February 2020. A report was written by the secretariaton the event. It contains a summary of achievements, good practices and lessons learnedfrom the work of the LEG in 2016–2020 as identified at the meeting.

To get a full copy of the report, go here

HAPPY EARTH DAY FROM RCC ST. GEORGE'S

“When we contemplate the whole globe as one great dewdrop, striped and dotted withcontinents and islands, flying through space with other stars all singing and shining

together as one, the whole universe appears as an infinite storm of beauty.” John Muir

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